Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-03
erand Endorsement Of clsvsland's Ad-
ministration and Of
POWELL'S CANDIDACY!
An Appeal to all Honest Men to
Cherish Democratic Principles.
and to Vote the
DEMOCRATIC TICKET |
Speech at Kenton, Hardin County,
Saturday. October 22d, 1887.
KENroN. ONO, October q, 1887.

KENToN, OHIO, October %, 1887.
Hon. Daniel Flanagan called the meeting
to order at halfpsst two P. NJ, and an
nounced Hon. Frank Dougherty as President
of the meeting.
Hon. Frank Dougherty, in introducing the
speaker Of the afternoon, said
My fellow. citizens the Democracy of Har-
din county, tried and true. welcomes her
distinguished visitors. Allen G. Thurman,
the ideal Of American manhood, the "noblest
Roman of them all, }" is with u.s. (Applause.)
In the afternoon of his life, when no suspi-
'ssOn Of selfshness or ambition erists he has left
the comforts of his home to aid US with his
counsel, and honor us with his presence A
thousand welcomes say we all, and may he
be spared for many more years of usefulness,
nthe fervent, heartfelt hope Of every patriotic
citizen (applause). Thomas Edward Powell,
our gallant candidate for Governor, is with
Us. OF spotless personal character in all the
elements Of manhood, as clear cut as cameo,
his candidacy has already inspired confidence
and enthusiasm, and his election would be
guarantee Of good government, and the affairs
of the State be honestly and economically
administered. Judge Critchfeld, our can
didate for Supreme Judge, is here, grand
man, whose ability would adorn the judiciary
of any State or nation, and Mr.. Kiesewetter,
our trusted Auditor Of the State, is here.
Hon. w. H. Grain, one Of the representa-
tives Of the Lone Star State, is with us, and
we welcome the distinguished gentleman
frem the land Of the Alamo and Sam Houston,
and Democracy as unswerving as the heroes
that laid the foundation of the prosperity Of
that great State.
We welcome, gentlemen, the members of
the press and the visiting clubs who have
graced the occasion with their presence, and
now, ladies and gentlemen, Mr.. Thurman,
who needs no introduction to this audience,
wilY- discuss the issues - Judge Thurman.
l4GIext applause
Judge Thurman then spoke IS follows
Mr. PHRsrDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE
MKs Eittystonr years agoI stood on nearly
] the same spot that occupy today. 1t was
the year in which this place was selected to
be the county seat of Four county. l was
then ayouth, beardless youth, still minor,
and earning my daily bread by following the
T occup.tion Of surveyor Of land. I came
one dly with my employer to see the place
that vas to be the county seat of Hardin
county, and, as said, stood on very nearly
the SINE spot that stand on now, and look
ing around all the points of the compass
saw, to the best of my recollection, but one
house, one log-eabin down, as well as rec
.ollect, near the river. That was all. The
rest of the scene was one OF the densest forests
that ever eye rested upon. It looked as if to
clear it was almost an impossibility. But
what q change in these fifty-four years. What
x change in less than two-thirds of the life
time OF the boy who then stood looking over
the scene. Now. from the same spot can
behold one of the most prosperous and beauti-
full and lovely young cities in all of the State
of Ohio. Here, when there was then nothing
but the great forest trees, are to be seen
magnificent public buildings, churches, whose
spires reach toward heaven, school-houses in
every quarter, and dwelling houses whose
taste and comfort and conveniences rival
those Of any place in this country. What a
change is thisl And does it not make you
proud. my fellow-countrymen, to know that
J such thing as this is possible in the land
I whore you live, and under the free institu-
| tiona you enjoy. And, my Fellow. Democrats,
don't you feel something of qualification
when you recollect that this place, this site
was selected, this town was founded, in the
administration Of that grand old hero, An
drew Jackson (applause), and with the bap-
tism Of those Democratic times it has grown
vp to be the magnificent city that we now
behold. But not the city alone. I have
spoken Of the forest. Why, in that year, 1888,
If my recollection is right, it was common
remark that Hardin county cannot be settled,
for the forest il too great for the axman to
cut down. Men won't buy the land 1t will
cost too mucHNto clear Il. It will take life.
time to clear i. And hundreds, nay thou
sands Of emigr, ts did pan by, and go where
there was lessl bor to Be performed. But
now let anyone Vsvel over this country, and
Gee the glorious arms that are to be every
where beheld, the villages that spring up
and are scarcely ever out of sight, let him
see what county Il Il, and then let him
semember that nothing ID impossible to Amer